Nerd? Who?

Neal Gabler’s “Inside Every Superhero Lurks a Nerd” makes an interesting argument, declaring Spider-Man fundamentally appeals to American society, resulting in its highly successful deployment as a moviegoing experience and its vigorous receipt by the target audience. If American society was not so moved by both adolescence and moviegoing, Spider-Man likely would not have been so well received, but I say the “nerd” in us may not cease after High School.

Gabler suggests “most adults have experienced adolescent powerlessness,” establishing the common ground on which moviegoers are able to relate themselves to Spider-Man, or more specifically Peter Parker, and allow the viewer to live vicariously thru Peter’s empowering emergence as Spider-Man (562). In the awkward developments of our adolescent years, it is quite probable to endure moments of weakness and confusion. Gabler expounds further to establish adolescent powerlessness and an obtainable empowerment create “two powerful elements: a primary source of moviegoing pleasure with a primary means of audience identification (562).” I am compelled to support Neal Gabler in his explanation as to why Spider-Man reeled-in such an impressive fan base. Gravitating to what we identify with and relate to is a natural instinct we have as humans. By such gravitation, we find ourselves plopped in a cushy-red chair with an overflowing bag of shirt-staining popcorn in one hand and a barely palm-able soda in the other, anticipating the final preview.

Neal Gabler defines Adolescence as “the period where one must move from youth to maturity, which means adjusting individual needs and desires to the larger world (562).” The typical teenager develops individualism, learns responsibility, and finds his or her place among society to play a part of something larger than the individual. Peter Parker endures High School chasms, develops superpowers, struggles to find his new position in humanity as a superhero and eventually “deploys his individualism for the larger good (562).” Gabler exclaims Peter’s symbolic individualism is cornerstone to Hollywood movies by stating, “Hollywood movies invariably celebrate individualism (562).”

Spider-Man does not necessarily only relate itself to an American teenage demographic. While it is reasonable to place substantial weight in the part of teenagers embracing the movie, adults must have played an equally significant role. In the fact teenagers are teenagers; they still require parental influence and guidance. Even if the young adults make up the mass majority of the Spider-Man audience, they do not fulfill the role independently. To further discuss the relational ability of adults to endear Peter Parker in his High School struggles may stretch the “adolescent” theme presented by Gabler to a broader scope. Why does the ability to offer sympathy for Peter Parker require a bridge to the adolescent stage? Is it not common for adults to experience similar times of feeling powerless? Is it not equally plausible adults are able to identify with the superhero side of Peter Parker, having endured and overcome times of powerlessness? Adults can be “nerds” just the same as teenagers and adults may be able to relate to the "Spider-Man" side of Peter Parker on a more personal level than teenagers.